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April 08, 2016

Dogs are being trained specifically for veterans behind prison walls and it is wonderful

In some prisons around the country, inmates are training and preparing service dogs for placement with veterans who need them. Recently, we had the honor of visiting one of these programs at MCI Framingham in Massachusetts, and we were moved by the work being done there. We have had the pleasure of visiting other Planet Dog Foundation grantees but this one was unlike anything we had seen before.

This remarkable program is run by America’s VetDogs, which was created in 2003 by The Guide Dog Foundation in response to an increased need for specially trained dogs to assist disabled veterans returning from the Middle East and elsewhere around the world. America’s VetDogs is a fantastic organization that was previously the recipient of a Planet Dog Foundation grant. We love the opportunity to see where your donation dollars go in the community. Part of every Planet Dog purchase goes to the Planet Dog Foundation so we can give grants like these to reputable organizations like America’s VetDogs.

Superintendent Paul Henderson welcomed us to the facility where we met with his staff and the program coordinators from America’s VetDogs. We learned about the program, the facility, and just what a role this prison program plays in the lives of the inmates and to the veterans who will receive the trained service dog. As we entered, we also met Kent, a disabled veteran and his service dog, Mike. Mike was trained at MCI Framingham.

MCI Framingham is a medium-security women’s facility in Massachusetts, where they've operated a prison dog training program for several years. Laura Galvini, a correctional program officer, was our host for the day and part of the program since its inception. She said there are about 500 women in the facility. There are currently 18 dogs in the program. They have never had a negative incident or issue.

Throughout his career, Superintendent Henderson has had personal experience with several different prison programs, and he says that the prison dog program in particular is a win, win, win. The dogs get expertly trained, the prisoners learn skills they can take pride in while giving back to society, and America’s VetDogs gets a service dog who is ready for advanced training back at their campus. Once fully trained, the dogs will provide veterans assistance with daily living activities, companionship, and emotional support while giving them back their independence.

Kent and Mike are a dynamic duo who directly benefited from the program at MCI Framingham, and we were honored to hear about their experiences. Kent is a disabled veteran, and Mike, a handsome and proud Labrador, is his service dog. Kent was paired with Mike last June by America’s VetDogs, and before that Mike was trained in this very prison – and we got to see just how beloved Mike is by all when our tour became a sort of reunion. Mike is a celebrity behind these walls. The staff and inmates know him and were excited to have him back. Mike grew up with them in prison, and then went on to his purpose: to care for Kent.

Kent lost his identity, his confidence, and his independence when he was medically discharged from service. He suffers from depression. He lost his driver’s license because of seizures. Mike is Kent's second service dog from America’s VetDogs, and he not only helps Kent with basic tasks, Mike can also get help if Kent has a seizure by pulling an alarm Kent carries or pressing a special button to call an ambulance if they’re at home. Mike can also wake Kent from nightmares and helps keep his PTSD in check. Kent and Mike are a team and are there for each other – no questions asked, no matter what. Kent still has his medical issues but wants to be in this world and to give back. Having a service dog like Mike has given Kent his life back and has given it a new purpose.

Kent has now has dedicated his life to paying it forward to make sure other men and women like him get the dogs and care they need so that they don’t become a statistic. Depression, PTSD, and suicide among veterans is a serious problem. But with service dogs like Mike, disabled veterans like Kent can have the courage and ability to leave their houses and be a part of their world again. They can do simple tasks we generally take for granted, and they can sleep at night without fear thanks to the companionship of their trained service dog.

The Reunion

When the time came for us to meet Mike’s former handler it was hard to not be emotional. She was so excited to see him, and so quick to remark on how good he looked and how much he had grown up since leaving her. After her reunion with Mike, she immediately turned her attention to Kent. She emotionally thanked him for his service and for what he had done for our country. She is currently working with a new dog that will go on to another veteran who needs him, too.

As we know, the unconditional love of a dog is unlike anything we have felt before and can change all of us. That love reminds us of hope, respect, and purpose. It is a blind love. Dogs want to please us. Consider for a moment what that love can do for a veteran and for a prisoner. Being a trainer in this program takes professionalism and discipline. It is intense work and a serious responsibility. It takes and fosters love and trust. The inmate trainers are proud of the work they do, they understand the ‘why’ of the program, where these dogs are going and who they will be helping, and that helps with the feelings of loss when it is time for these dogs to leave for their new homes.

The Prison Dogs

At just 8 to 10 weeks old, puppies are brought into the program to begin their training and start their lives as service dogs. Groups of puppies are staggered, so that the puppies can learn from their handlers but also from their elders, who lead by example. The service dog training program managers look for dogs with excellent temperament, health, intelligence, and the ability to be trained – specifically working with Labradors, Golden Retrievers, and Lab/Golden crosses.

The prison program service dogs are trained to help people with disabilities other than visual impairment: they can provide balance for walking; pick up dropped items; open doors; turn on light switches; and so much more. In many cases, the prison program trains these dogs for veterans with PTSD, so these service dogs provide not only basic service dog tasks, but can also can wake someone suffering from night terrors, provide a calming effect, and lower stress and anxiety in daily situations, helping veterans overcome a sense of isolation and giving them the ability to re-engage with society on their terms. While they're in training, the service dogs also leave the prison every weekend and stay with puppy raiser families who socialize and acclimate them to other situations and environments to learn about things they’re not exposed to in the prison.

Because the training is constant behind the walls of the prison, the service dogs are trained in about half the time of other similar programs. After the dogs leave the prison program, they're put into advanced specialized training to fit the needs of the veteran they are being placed with, which could include working with wheelchairs, or waking from night terrors. With more working and training time, the dogs get through the program faster and are able to be placed more quickly with awaiting veterans who need them – and there's currently a 3- to 6-month wait for a dog in this program. When placed, the service dogs trained in the prison program are then given to veterans absolutely free of charge thanks to the generous support from the VetDogs donor community.

The win, win, win of this program is really exponential. There are so many benefits to this program – from all angles. It's taken us a while to unpack all of our experiences from this recent visit, and we're honored that MCI Framingham and America’s VetDogs invited us to see the program in action. The staff from both organizations are so passionate about the benefits of programs like this. The women at the prison training the dogs were absolute professionals who were so proud of the work they are doing for veterans and dogs. Kent and Mike are amazing champions for the benefits of having a service dog and of programs like these.

The power of the love of dogs - and for dogs - has always driven Planet Dog and the Planet Dog Foundation to do the work we do. That same force, unconditional love, is also saving lives all over the world. In this facility, on this day, we heard dozens of examples, and we could not be more proud of everyone involved.

Thank you a thousand times for your service and for truly inspiring us.

America’s VetDogs for not only their amazing organization but also their willingness to be our partner and help us learn more about the importance of this program.

MCI Framingham for letting us tour their facility and meet their staff and trainers.

Kent and Mike for joining us on this day. We learned so much from them about the benefits of having a service dog, and being there for Mike’s reunion was a very moving moment for us. You can keep following Kent’s journey on his personal blog.

March 17, 2016

As you know, we take sustainability seriously. When it came to redesigning our trade show booth, we knew we wanted sustainability to be top of mind in the process.

We collaborated with The FourOne Group to create a booth that eloquently displays our beautiful products but also holds true to our mission by being eco-friendly and fun.

The new light-weight booth is made with various recycled materials. The back wall is comprised of beetle kill wood, which is a naturally harvested wood that is no longer living due to mountain pine beetles. The wood is beautiful, lightweight, and a great example of sustainable forestry.

The back screens are lifestyle images sent to us from some of our biggest fans.

The bulldog’s name is Ruby and the photo was submitted from BarkBox. Planet Dog made a cash and product donation to New York Bully Crew in Ruby’s name, in exchange for the rights to the photo.

December 09, 2015

We have been having so much fun with these holiday gift giveaways! Thanks everyone for playing!

Our last giveaway is PERFECT for the bully breed lover on your list. We have teamed up with our dear friends at Original Bully Clothing Company for this one.

The Bully Lover Giveaway includes:

A $50 Gift Certificate to OriginalBully.com

Dogs Rule Everything Around Me T-shirt

A knit Original Bully Beanie

An Original Bully Sticker/Decal Pack

Two boxes of Planet Dog eats

Two Planet Dog Diamond Plate Balls

Value of the giveaway is $140!

To enter, head over to our Facebook page. We will choose FIVE WINNERS 12/17/2015 and notify them via the email address they used to enter the contest. Keep your eyes peeled for that email on 12/17 so we can get these out to you in time to get under the tree! Good luck!

December 02, 2015

We have another amazing giveaway for you! This one is a perfect hit for the bibliophile on your lists. Our friends at Grand Central Publishing and our traveling friend Momo have provided some great reads for the dog loving reader on your holiday list!

The Book Bundle Includes:

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks - #1 New York Times bestseller Nicholas Sparks turns his unrivaled talents to a new tale about love found and lost, and the choices we hope we'll never have to make. Did we mention he is a vetrinarian and their dogs play a major part in their relationship? A classic Sparks story of love and choices we make for it.

Marnie the Dog by Shirley Braha - From senior shelter dog to international star, Marnie the Dog has a photo book! Once an old, sick dog who was found on the streets and named "Stinky," Marnie the Dog got a second lease on life when she was adopted from a shelter at age ten. Soon, her signature looks and endearing personality would capture the hearts of not only her new owner, but nearly everyone she encountered. And now she has an adorable photo book!

All Dogs Go To Kevin by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang - A humorous and touching memoir that will appeal to anyone who has ever loved an animal or lost hours in James Herriot's classic veterinary stories. You can't always count on people, but you can always count on your dog. This book reminds us, with gentle humor and honesty, why we put up with the pee on the carpet, the chewed-up shoes, and the late-night trips to the vet: because the animals we love so much can, in fact, change our lives.

Wet Dog by Sophie Gamand - An adorable and hilarious collection of dog photographs. Every dog owner knows too well the fun and misery of bath time: the wriggles, the poignant looks, the playful splashes. WET DOG, by photographer Sophie Gamand, is a stunning and touching capture of this intimate moment.

Over on our Facebook page, we are giving away 5 book bundles. And to make sure you have enough free time to read, we are throwing in a Snoop and Glow for Good ball so your pup can be occupied while you put your feet up and dive into these book!

We will be giving away 5 bundles to 5 winners on December 8th. Good luck!

The Good Dog Foundation’s mission is to ease human suffering and promote recovery from trauma and stress using animal-assisted therapy services. Their daily work is based on the superior bond we have with dogs.

As displayed in Sylvia, dogs have a way of completing our lives and making us heal. Because of the synergy between messages, the folks from Sylvia are offering the Good Dog Foundation 5% of all ticket sales from the show from anyone who uses the tracking code SVTGDFREG.

About the Show

Funny and heartwarming, SYLVIA is about what happens when a smart, sassy, captivating canine befriends a New Yorker in Central Park and changes his life— and his wife’s life forever.

From Tony Award-winning® director Daniel Sullivan (Proof, Glengarry Glen Ross) and two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee A. R. Gurney (The Dining Room, Love Letters), Sylvia stars a brilliant cast of acclaimed comedians: two-time Tony winner Matthew Broderick (The Producers, How To Succeed…), Tony winner Julie White (The Little Dog Laughed), Drama Desk Award-winner Robert Sella (Stuff Happens), and fresh from her 2015 Tony-winning performance in You Can’t Take It With You, Annaleigh Ashford as Broadway’s friskiest new heroine. This wonderful look into the complexities of love and commitment asks what it truly means to be devoted to your partner…and how do you choose between the love of your life and man’s best friend?

Special Talk Back Evening December 15th

On December 15th the Good Dog Foundation has another special treat for us. On December 15th, there will be a special Talk Back session after the show with the Good Dog Foundation, moderated by Dr. Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology at Yale University and director of the Canine Cognition Center at Yale. This special evening will look even closer at the bond between dogs and their people.

Planet Dog to be there too to cheer on one of our favorite organizations in their big Broadway debut! We hope some of you can join us... just don't forget to use the code SVTGDFREG when you get your tickets!

October 27, 2015

You know that dogs have been used for tracking for decades, even centuries. They have been instrumental in finding lost people, tracking criminals, protecting our airports, and for hunting purposes.

One of our previous Planet Dog Foundation grantees, Working Dogs for Conservation, recently reached out and made us aware of another purpose their highly trained tracking dogs are doing… helping put a stop to poaching and the poaching trade in Africa.

Elephant ivory and rhino horns have become two of the world’s most valuable commodities and they continue to be illegally traded. This practice is threatening these amazing creatures and our natural resources.

Working Dogs for Conservation is doing their part to apprehend poachers and intercept guns, ammunition, and wildlife contraband. At their headquarters in Montana, they are training dogs for months to find guns, gunpowder and ammunition in addition to ivory, rhino horn, bushmeat, and pangolin scales. After their in-depth training, they are then sent to Africa to work with handlers on the ground.

The success in helping wildlife authorities find wildlife products, confiscate weapons, and arrest poachers has been immediate. They very quickly have had an impact on helping protected wildlife areas stay safe.

Working Dogs for Conservation recently sent these photos of two of their newest recruits, Chai and Earl, who are working with the South Luangwa Conservation Society Canine Unit. Both have been trained on elephant ivory, guns and ammunition, and several species of bush-meat including impala and Cape buffalo. Both dogs LOVE their Planet Dog toys and they help keep them motivated. We are so proud of the work this organization is doing!

October 07, 2015

Our Company Store recently hosted a free workshop that featured Carolyn Ross, a certified Tellington TTouch practitioner, and provided information and tips about the practice.

What is Tellington TTouch?

Tellington TTouch can be used to connect with your dog, to ease pain or discomfort, and to reduce anxiety. It focuses on body stimulation exercises comprised of gentle, circular touches, as well as lifts using the pads of your fingers or palms. There are areas and pressure points of your dog that can be gently worked to improve behavior and help reluctant or fearful pups relax. The result is a relaxed attitude that will encourage dogs to adapt to situations that previously made them uncomfortable.

Tellington TTouch to Calm Fear

A recent pupil of Carolyn’s was a fearful rescue dog that had extreme tactile issues; it would refuse to walk on any smooth surfaces. Carolyn patiently applied Tellington TTouch over the course of a three day session and reinforced the method with positive vocal reinforcement. The result was that the dog can now touch down on linoleum without discomfort or resistance! The dog came so far in such a short period of time – it was amazing! By dedicating a little time and effort, Tellington TTouch helped build confidence and focus in this dog’s life. It is also great for dogs that don’t like having their nails trimmed, feel general anxiety, pull on their leash, excessively bark, are too excitable or hyperactive, and SO much more!

Tellington Touch for Aging Dogs

Tellington TTouch has many other uses for any dog that has had hip, joint, or other issues. The practice can help restore mobility, sooth aching joints and muscles, and rebuild a dog’s confidence. Older dogs have been known to regain their youthful bounce after Tellington TTouch sessions.

An Easy Way to Connect with Your Dog

Tellington TTouch takes very little effort to perform and can be done in short or long periods of time. If you have time to pet your dog (and you should!) then you have enough time to use Tellington TTouch. Both children and adults can learn to use the method, and in doing so, bring the family closer together!

For a more detailed history and description of the handwork involved with Tellington TTouch, please visit this website.

September 24, 2015

Remember the Parachute Game we used to play in gym class? With the huge, brightly colored parachute we would all shake, and someone would get underneath, or on top, or both? After more than 20 years, we saw a parachute again recently – and this time the parachute had dogs on top!

On August 29, 2015, the Planet Dog Foundation (PDF), our non-profit foundation that provides funding to train service and therapy dogs, teamed up with the Life is Good Kids Foundation to train a new cadre of frontline professionals working with children. The LIGKF offers the Playmakers Curriculum, designed to help childcare professionals tap into the power of optimism and joy and build healing, life-changing relationships with children in their care.

NEADS: Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans trains some of their dogs for partnerships with teachers, therapists, and those who perform religious ministry that work with students who have mental or physical disabilities. Classroom dogs provide a way for special education teachers to enhance their bond with the children, and service dogs for therapy are an effective therapeutic partner for physical and occupational therapists looking for a way to motivate children to use their body in ways that capitalize on the dog’s presence for increased engagement.

The Planet Dog Foundation facilitated the connection of these two revolutionary approaches to working with children, by funding Playmakers 101: Foundations of Playmaking for 10 NEADS-trained Service Dog handlers working with at-risk kids. The customized training was designed to cultivate the wisdom, joy and inspiration in the participants, and use their service dogs in new and inspiring ways in their respective facilities. The training emphasized active engagement, joyfulness, social connection, and internal control in an experiential learning setting to help seasoned professional explore new ways to incorporate joy and play in their daily work.

Playmaker trainers used that same sense of play in the day’s curriculum, beginning with that bright and bold parachute. A variety of parachute exercises brought this group of 30-, 40-, and 50-somethings right back to the grammar school gymnasium, leaving us all giggling, and eager to crawl underneath and feel the breeze generated by the waving hands of our colleagues. Accompanied by patient pups enjoying the games, teachers, clergy, nurses, and therapists were reminded that play allows us to let our guard down, joy allows us to overcome fear, and games allow us to see a familiar scenario through new eyes.

And what better advocate for joyful play than a dog? As these pros go back to their respective schools, and hospitals, and group homes, they will apply their newfound skills, infusing their day to day work with play and harnessing the power of their 4-legged partners to unlock the joy in the kids they serve.

September 22, 2015

Fall is upon us and our Groom Shop is already getting clients coming in with itchy and uncomfortable dogs who are suffering from fall allergies. Fall means dying plant life, mold, and dryness that can mess with your dog’s skin.

Envirogroom contains Aloe Vera and a light anti-septic additive. It is pH Balanced just for dogs, it is biodegradable, plant based, is completely non-toxic, and made in the USA.

Earth Bath Tea Tree and Aloe Vera shampoo is made with pure, natural ingredients, is made in the USA, and is gentle on dog’s skin.

To apply either of these healing shampoos, you should thoroughly brush the shampoo into your dog’s skin and make sure it isn’t just in contact with their coat. Avoid contact with your dog’s eyes, neither of these shampoos are tearless. Let the shampoo sit on your dog for 5-10 minutes, rinse thoroughly and towel dry.

Hopefully with some skin soothing shampoo you and your pup can get back outside and enjoying the changing seasons!